The Last of Usvideo game and show co-creator Neil Druckmann explains a deviation the show will take from the video game regarding Abby’s backstory. Abby (Kaitlyn Dever), an antagonist in the critically-acclaimed video game’s sequel, will be a key character inThe Last of Usseason 2, joining the likes of Ellie (Bella Ramsey) and Joel (Pedro Pascal) in humanity’s desperate fight to survive in a world plagued by the zombie-like infected. Early promotional materials for the show’s return, which is set for April 13, have hyped Abby’s presence in a major way.
In a press conference earlier this week thatScreenRantattended,Druckmann announced thatAbby’s backstory will appear early on inThe Last of Usseason 2.His decision stems from a key difference betweenThe Last of Us Part IIand the television show, as he explained:
There are two reasons why we change certain context or move certain things up in the story. One of which [is that]you start the game and play as Abby, so you immediately form an empathic connection with herbecause you’re surviving as her. You’re running through the snow, you’re fighting Infected, and we can withhold certain things and make it a mystery that will be revealed later in the story. We couldn’t do that in the show because you’re not playing as her, so we need other tools. And that context gave us that shortcut.
Something similar happened in season 1, where the game starts with you playing as Sarah, and we didn’t have to do a lot of heavy lifting for you to care about Sarah, because you’re playing as her, you’re experiencing the outbreak as her. In the show, we had to spend quite a bit of time to achieve something similar. So, that was one reason.
Another reason is where that revelation happens in the game.If we were to stick to a very similar timeline, viewers would have to wait a very, very long timeto get that context. You would probably get spoiled between seasons, and we didn’t want that. So, it felt appropriate for those reasons to move that up and give viewers that context right off the bat.
What This Means For The Last Of Us Season 2
Audiences Will Learn About Abby Early In The Season
InThe Last of Us Part II, the player largely plays as Abby during the second half of the game after an initial introduction when it begins. This feature of the game allows someone to literally step foot into Abby’s shoes and control her actions, but television shows cannot provide the same effect. Because of this, as Druckmann explained,The Last of Usseason 2 will have toshow viewers Abby’s story early on in the season in order for them to better understand and connect with her.
Who Is Abby In The Last Of Us Season 2? Kaitlyn Dever’s Character Explained
Kaitlyn Dever’s Abby Anderson has at last been unveiled in the first trailer for The Last of Us season 2. Who is she, and what role does she play?
Abby’s backstory will be fleshed out early on in season 2, allowing viewers to form a connection with the character from the start. Without going into spoilers, her backstory ties into the events oftheLast of Usseason 1 ending, so it could be that an early flashback to the finale will reveal what happened. Abby is an incredibly divisive character among game fans, but her story does give people the opportunity to empathize with her.Season 2 could get ahead of viewers' original distasteby beginning to unravel her background in the very first episode.
Our Take On Revealing Abby’s Backstory In The Last Of Us Season 2
It Makes Sense To Introduce Abby’s Background Early In The Season
Introducing Abby’s background in the first episode ofThe Last of Usseason 2 makes sense for the show. It’s a smart decision because it allows audiences to connect with Abby early on and understand her motivations, which will be key considering what she will do.
Without a backstory for her character,her actions could immediately put her on the outswith the audience. Abby is a key piece of the story, and it is critical forThe Last of Usto do her, and her backstory, justice in season 2.
The Last Of Us
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The Last of Us is a post-apocalyptic drama series set two decades after a global catastrophe. It follows Joel, a seasoned survivor, who is tasked with escorting Ellie, a teenage girl, across a desolated United States, transforming into a harrowing journey of survival and companionship.
